UT reports furniture deal as extra benefits

A March 13 fire gutted their off-campus apartment and the process of refurnishing caused almost as much trouble.

University of Tennessee officials have taken steps to self-report a secondary NCAA violation involving extra benefits received by Mahelona, Sears and walk-on Brett Weyman.

No suspensions or missed game time are expected after quick action taken by UT.

In the wake of the apartment fire, former UT quarterback Jerry Colquitt reportedly contacted friend Johnny Presley of Crossville, owner of Hale's Furniture.

Colquitt asked Presley if he could help the players out, get them some furniture and let them work in the store to help pay off their debt.

A deal was struck for $5,483 worth of furniture and the players did work at the store on two occasions.

There was no down payment and the players signed a 12-months, same-as-cash agreement with Presley. The furniture was to be repossessed if full payment wasn't eventually received.

"I don't think anybody was done wrong," Presley said on Tuesday. "I'm not going to have any further comment than that. I've had a gazillion calls on this."

In an interview published with The Tennessean on Monday, Presley said the players "were charged full price on everything and not given any special deals."

Colquitt, contacted on Tuesday, said he had "no comment" on the story. He's a pharmaceutical salesman based in Knoxville.

Presley and Colquitt each was sent a letter by UT warning of future dealings and contact with Tennessee athletes.

The furniture has since been repossessed by Presley and the players will deal with "corrective actions" dictated by the university.

Players will have to do 20 hours of community service and pay off what amounts to a one-month rental of the furniture - $95.84 each - to charity.

They'll also have to explain their actions and the consequences to teammates.

Mahelona had 18.5 tackles for losses as an All-America junior defensive tackle last season.

The Football Writers Association of America has named Mahelona and defensive back teammate Jason Allen to the Bronko Nagurski Trophy preseason watch list.

Sears is a junior starter at offensive tackle.

Mark Burgess covers University of Tennessee football. He may be reached at 865-342-6277.